Please don’t hate us for posing the question. In a recent ranking of the most reliable midsize SUVs, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner reliability came in behind the 2023 Nissan Murano. Since both midsize SUVs have been on the market for a while, who wins this reliability tug-of-war? Check out where Toyota lands in the grand scheme of reliability compared to Nissan, with both trusted brands offering a solid midsize option.

How reliable is the 2023 Toyota 4Runner?

There are many sources to help determine the reliability of a vehicle, but J.D. Power gave the 2023 Toyota 4Runner a quality and reliability score of 87 out of 100. U.S. News gave the 4Runner some mixed reviews, primarily due to the long time between redesigns. The Toyota 4Runner has not been redesigned since 2009, so it lags in important areas like fuel economy, technology, and features. However, an aging interior does not mean the 2023 Toyota 4Runner’s reliability is any less. It recently took home an award from the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study.

J.D. Power gave the 2023 Nissan Murano a quality and reliability score of 90 out of 100. It earned high marks for comfortable seats, a smooth ride, and the powerful V6 engine. All of that was only enough to land the Murano in spot 20 out of 23 other midsize SUVs. The Nissan Murano hasn’t been updated in a bit, so both SUVs are on the older end.

Most would probably consider the 2023 4Runner over the 2023 Murano when people think about reliable midsize SUVs. Though Nissan is not an unreliable brand, not many automakers have a history of reliability like Toyota.

Is the 2023 Nissan Murano reliable?

Those J.D. Power scores show that the 2023 Nissan Murano is more reliable than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner. Even though these are both midsize SUVs, J.D. Power categorizes the Murano as a midsize SUV and the 4Runner as an upper midsize SUV. Both are in the top spot in the respective categories.

As a brand-new vehicle, the stylish Nissan Murano will be a reliable option. It has not received many significant updates lately, which makes sense since it is acceptable in its current form. For those who like the Nissan brand and want a comfortable and affordable SUV, the Murano makes a lot of sense.

Is the 2023 Nissan Murano really more reliable than the Toyota 4Runner?

Depending on who you ask, J.D. Power does give the 2023 Nissan Murano a higher reliability score than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner. However, putting these vehicles in different segments means J.D. Power isn’t pitting one against the other. The Toyota 4Runner’s reliability is highest in the upper midsize SUV segment, and the Nissan Murano’s is highest in the midsize SUV segment.

Most major outlets are docking points from the Toyota 4Runner for its outdated design, but the magic reliability formula remains the same, and it remains as popular as ever. Nissan has a great seller in the Murano, and high scores from the big publications only add to its favor. There probably aren’t as many fan clubs for the Murano, but there’s one for everyone these days.